Script test in TestComplete

In the last post, we learned how to create a keyword test in TestComplete. I had mentioned then that Script tests are more suitable for people who know a scripting language like VBScript or JScript and who have written test automation before. In this post, let us see how to build a script test to test the Windows Calculator. We will use data parametrization, external data sources, conditional statements and loops. Rest assured that it will not be simple at all.

How to create a keyword test in TestComplete (from SmartBear Software)?

TestComplete is a test automation tool that can test a variety of applications like Windows applications, web applications, web services, Adobe AIR applications and Java applications. Tests can be created as either Keyword tests or Scripts. The former are more suitable for beginners in test automation and the latter are more suitable for people who know a scripting language like VBScript or JScript and who have written test automation. It is very simple to build a keyword test in TestComplete. In this post, let us see how to build a keyword test in a browser based application quickly.

How to send an email using VBScript?

In the last article, we have learnt that VBScript is useful to write small automation utilities like writing commands in cmd.exe, launching an executable, killing all instances of an executable etc. But do you remember a forwarded email that contained an attachment file and sender asked you to save that file with .vbs extension and then to double click that file to see some magic? If you do perform those steps, a program automatically executes, open a new email message, write recipient email address in "To" field, write some silly text in body and then sends that mail using your Outlook. By the time you understand something & react, mail shoots to recipient. Actually that attachment could be a VBScript. We will learn how such a script works.

How to work the Command Window using VBScript?

VBScript is ActiveX-enabled scripting language developed by Microsoft that connects to scripting hosts like Internet Explorer and performs functions locally using the Windows Script Host (WSH). It is an interpreted client side language. VBScript uses the Component Object Model (COM) to access elements of the environment within which it is running. Generally, scripting languages are coded faster as these are interpreted. VBScript is structured and used with smaller programs with limited capability. It is embedded within windows by default in every desktop release since Windows 98.

A VBScript script must be executed within a host environment, of which there are several provided with Microsoft Windows, including Windows Script Host (WSH), Internet Explorer (IE), and Internet Information Services (IIS). Additionally, the VBScript hosting environment is embeddable in other programs, through technologies such as the Microsoft Script Control (msscript.ocx). VBScript allows us to write small automation utilities and to execute them without using any functional automation tool. We will now learn how to work with command mode.

Selenium WebDriver Quiz Part 4

Selenium is a popular open source test automation tool for web applications that is used for functional and cross-browser compatibility testing. You may have already attempted the Selenium Quiz Parts 1, 2 and 3. If not, try those first. Now, attempt this short part 4 of this quiz to check your familiarity with Selenium WebDriver (also known as Selenium 2) basics. Selenium-WebDriver is the new Selenium tool that has a simpler and more powerful API than Selenium 1. Additionally, it addresses the limitations of Selenium RC. Each question in this quiz has four options with one best answer. The score is updated at the bottom left as you answer each question.

Selenium RC Quiz Part 3

Selenium is a popular open source test automation tool for web applications that is used for functional and cross-browser compatibility testing. You may have already attempted the Selenium Quiz Part 1 and 2. If not, try those first. Now, attempt the part 3 of this quiz to check your familiarity with Selenium RC (also known as Selenium 1). Selenium RC is the original Selenium tool. RC has the Selenium Server that controls the browsers and Client Libraries for the supported programming languages (Java, Ruby, Python, Perl, PHP or .Net). Each question in this quiz has four options with one best answer. The score appears at the bottom left. A score of 5 or less indicates low knowledge; 6 to 7 means a fair level of knowledge and 8 and above shows a good knowledge of Selenium RC.

Example Test Strategy

Test strategy is the plan (that may exist at any level like project, program, department or organization level) that describes how the test objectives would be met effectively with the help of the available resources. If you have a test strategy, it is easier to focus effort on the most important test activities at the time. Moreover, a test strategy provides clarity on the test approach to the project stakeholders.

Having said that, my earlier post, How to create a powerful test strategy, is well read. According to web analytics, its readership has been among the top five articles of this blog for quite some time. However, many readers asked for example software testing strategy document that I could not share at the time. Therefore, I requested Varsha, who is a senior member of the Software Testing Space community, to create an example test strategy for a hypothetical agile project. Below is the resulting sample test strategy document. The sections contain much information. Additional guidelines are given in italics. I hope that this sample test strategy document helps you create a really effective test strategy for your own project.

XML Quiz

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) defines rules to create and store documents in a text format. It is extensively used to transfer encoded data over the internet between different applications. If you are into web applications, it is important to know XML along with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. XML looks deceptively simple on the surface but it has many features. Try this quiz to find out how well you know XML.